Take the family on a free walking tour of San Francisco led by the volunteers at City Guides. These tours offer some of the best ways to see practically any part of the city. Be led through popular tourist areas such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, North Beach, Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Park and Haight-Ashbury. Or, choose from multiple neighborhood tours and get a closer look at less-familiar places such as the Japanese Tea Garden, the Fort Mason Historic District, and Dogpatch and Potrero Point.
San Francisco City Guides
c/o SF Public Library
100 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-557-4266
sfcityguides.org
Yerba Buena Gardens is a free public space encompassing man-made waterfalls, a 2.5-acre lawn park, public art and gardens. From May through October, the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival offers more than 200 free family-friendly community cultural programs including puppet shows and concerts. The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Yerba Buena Gardens
Fourth and Mission Streets
415-820-3550
yerbabuenagardens.com
Learn about the history of the San Francisco Fire Department and see vintage fire engines, artifacts from the 1906 earthquake, and other pieces of local firefighting history at the San Francisco Fire Museum. Kids can ring fire engine bells and hear from actual firefighters what it takes to do the job and help keep a community safe. A visit to this often-overlooked museum is a real treat for the whole family. Because the museum is staffed by volunteers, visitors should call ahead to make sure someone is available to give a tour. Admission is free and the museum is open 1-4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays.
San Francisco Fire Department Museum
655 Presidio Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94115
415-563-4630
guardiansofthecity.org
There is no charge to visit San Francisco's Cable Car Museum, where antique cable cars and historic photographs are on display. The whole family can learn how cable cars work and why they are an important part of San Francisco's unique history. The museum is relatively small, so all exhibits can be seen in less than an hour. The museum is open every day except major holidays.
Cable Car Museum
1201 Mason St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
415-474-1887
cablecarmuseum.org
